OK, so I got 32,000 miles on my car, and I am noticing a problem that seems to be getting worse. Whenever I go over a bump, no matter how small, I hear a loud rattling coming from what sounds like the suspension. I had the dealer check out the suspension and theysay the suspension is fine. My friendsrode in the car with me and they sayit sounds exactly like a ball joint issue (kinda like pop! pop-pop!). This rattling only happens when going over bumps (both big and very small) and at all speeds, and when the engine is hot and cold. I am fairly sure it is not the body, and not the normal rattling etc. that mustangs are known for.

I have three questions:

1) Is it most likely a ball joint issue?
2) If it is, how could this happen? I haven't hit any major bumps, and my car is still under warranty.
3) Assuming it is a ball joint issue, is this covered under the standard factory 3 year/36,000 mile warranty?

 

i know your mentioning ball
joints, but just to be sure, is
the sound coming from front
or rear

 

Sound like your end links may be loose. Just being a teenie weenie bitloose will
cause clunks when hitting bumps. Or, you may have the "front end thunk" issue,
There's a TSB for it. It's to replace your upper strut mounts. Part# 8R3Z-18183-B.

 

You could also ask them to have a tech go for a quick drive with you and see if he can hear the sound its making so he can confirm its not right..

 

first of all: omg, god forbid we have a tech thread with a purpose in this section haha
now on to the help: I had the same problem and my dealer tightened things up, as he put it, and I've never heard the sound again

 

To answer your question, it honestly sounds like it is coming from both the front AND rear...

no matter which of the four tires hits a bump (with the other 3 on level ground), i hear the clunk noise.

now maybe it is the front end clunk tsb, but i don't know. end links? possibly. other **** that is loose? unlikely, but possible.

i wish i could better describe the sound. have any of you ever bottomed out your shocks, as in maxed their travel? you know that noise it makes? or another example - it sounds like when you are jumping on a pogo stick that you are too heavy for, and you push the damn thing all the way to the ground. it's basically like a "clunk" noise...can't explain any better.

anyone else have ideas other than end links or front end tsb?

 

it's a tough one.....i'm not sure
what it could be at this point

 

When the end-links were loose, at least on my car, the thunks traveled
the length of the car from front to rear.

 

The car is stiff enough that hitting a one wheel bump at one end can still rattle a loose endlink at the other end.


Norm

 

Just cant think of anything besides the sway bar end links are loose on the front
of the upper strut mount bearing needs to be replaced with the new revised unit.
(8R3Z-18183-A)cost $58.23 each
Have you checked your lug nuts for 98 FtLbs of touque?